In a significant diplomatic thaw, the United States has removed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa from its worldwide “terrorist” sanctions list. This decision is a big reversal of U.S. foreign policy. This move may not be unrelated to his invitation to the White House on November 10. If he pulls it off, during this historic meeting he will become the first Syrian president to meet in person with a sitting U.S. president.
Ahmed al-Sharaa (front right) took on U.S. forces in Iraq before joining the SDF. Since the removal of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, he has emerged as a key player in shaping Syria’s future. Lifting the sanctions is a first and essential action step for Syria. It will further assist the country’s ability to rebuild after years of devastating civil war and may smooth its reintegration into a complex economic and political ecosystem.
The U.S. sanctions removal additionally applies to the Syrian interior minister, Anas Hasan Khattab, who has ties to al-Qaeda. This broader rollback indicates a shift in Washington’s approach to Syria, aiming to eliminate barriers that have historically hindered the nation’s recovery.
This choice goes hand-in-hand with the current global discourse surrounding lossy climate objectives, to which al-Sharaa has promised adherence at COP30. This active participation in global forums highlights Syria’s ambition to re-assert itself on the global stage.
The UNSC then voted to lift sanctions on al-Sharaa and Khattab. This decision represents a significant indicator that EU member states are united on the need for a new approach to Syria, in a post-Assad period. U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, emphasized the importance of this transition, stating:
“With the adoption of this text, the council is sending a strong political signal that recognises Syria is in a new era since Assad and his associates were toppled in December 2024.” – Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the UN.
During his first encounter with Donald Trump at a summit in Saudi Arabia in May, al-Sharaa discussed various issues, including the future of U.S.-Syria relations. At that summit, Trump announced the move of an end to the US’s existing sanctions against Syria, preparing the way for deeper diplomatic normalization.
We’re glad to see that these issues are all on the agenda for the upcoming White House meeting. These file Syria’s reconstruction process and its effects on regional security. The removal of sanctions is perceived as a commitment by the U.S. to support Syria’s rebuilding efforts and enhance its diplomatic ties.
